It is well known that blood lipoproteins (LPs) are multimolecular complexes of lipids and proteins that play a crucial role in lipid transport. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) are a class of blood plasma LPs that mediate reverse cholesterol transport (RCT)—cholesterol transport from the peripheral tissues to the liver. Due to this ability to promote cholesterol uptake from cell membranes, HDL possess antiatherogenic properties. This function was first observed at the end of the 1970s to the beginning of the 1980s, resulting in high interest in this class of LPs. It was shown that HDL are the prevalent class of LPs in several types of living organisms (from fishes to monkeys) with high resistance to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disorders. Lately, understanding of the mechanisms of the antiatherogenic properties of HDL has significantly expanded. Besides the contribution to RCT, HDL have been shown to modulate inflammatory processes, blood clotting, and vasomotor responses. These particles also possess antioxidant properties and contribute to immune reactions and intercellular signaling. Herein, we review data on the structure and mechanisms of the pleiotropic biological functions of HDL from the point of view of their evolutionary role and complex dynamic nature.

Articular cartilage damage still remains a major problem in orthopedical surgery. The development of tissue engineering techniques such as autologous chondrocyte implantation is a promising way to improve clinical outcomes. On the other hand, the clinical application of autologous chondrocytes has considerable limitations. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from various tissues have been shown to possess chondrogenic differentiation potential, although to different degrees. In the present study, we assessed the alterations in chondrogenesis-related gene transcription rates and extracellular matrix deposition levels before and after the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs in a 3D spheroid culture. MSCs were obtained from three different tissues: umbilical cord Wharton’s jelly (WJMSC—Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stromal cells), adipose tissue (ATMSC—adipose tissue mesenchymal stromal cells), and the dental pulp of deciduous teeth (SHEDs—stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth). Monolayer MSC cultures served as baseline controls. Newly formed 3D spheroids composed of MSCs previously grown in 2D cultures were precultured for 2 days in growth medium, and then, chondrogenic differentiation was induced by maintaining them in the TGF-β1-containing medium for 21 days. Among the MSC types studied, WJMSCs showed the most similarities with primary chondrocytes in terms of the upregulation of cartilage-specific gene expression. Interestingly, such upregulation occurred to some extent in all 3D spheroids, even prior to the addition of TGF-β1. These results confirm that the potential of Wharton’s jelly is on par with adipose tissue as a valuable cell source for cartilage engineering applications as well as for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The 3D spheroid environment on its own acts as a trigger for the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs.

Gold nanoparticles and their conjugates have significant potential in the field of diagnosis of various diseases due to their SPR, which enhances light scattering and absorption. Conjugates of gold nanoparticles with various ligands can be used for imaging biomolecules or detecting malignant neoplasms at an early stage. This study focuses on the construction of composite (or hybrid) phospholipid-gold nanoparticles using soy phosphatidylcholine and a targeted ligand (folic acid derivative) to attach specific targeting properties. According to the method of dynamic light scattering, the diameter of the obtained nanoparticles was less than 100 nm, the results of the MTT test indicated their moderate cytotoxicity. In vitro and in vivo experiments showed a significant increase in the accumulation of phospholipid-gold nanoparticles with a targeted fragment compared to those without a targeted fragment both in HeLa cells and in a tumor (in BDF mice with an injected LLC tumor). The resulting nanoparticles are suitable for specific delivery into tumor cells and visualization of various malignant neoplasms, including at early stages, due to the increased expression of the folate receptor characteristic of cells of a wide range of tumors.

Transposable elements (TEs) are fragments of DNA capable of self-reproduction in the genome of the host organism. They constitute ∼40–50% of mammalian genomes. We have identified two TE families that